Image formation apparatus limiting print operation according to additional information embedded in input image data

ABSTRACT

An image formation apparatus includes a scanner unit entering image data, a printer unit printing out input image data, a signature information detection unit detecting additional information including destination information from the image data, and a communication processing unit transmitting information related to printing of image data to the detected destination. Additional information including destination information is detected from the image data. Information related to printing of image data is transmitted to the destination detected from the image data. Accordingly, information related to printing when image data is printed is audited at the destination side.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/494,253filed Jan. 31, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,113,291.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 11-22618filed in Japan, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to image formation apparatuses such asdigital copy machines and printers. Particularly, the present inventionrelates to an image formation apparatus that limits the print operationaccording to additional information embedded in input image data.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is now possible to easily copy a document image by virtue of thespread of digital copy machines. Also, digital data can be printed ontoa recording medium such as a sheet of paper by providing to a digitalcopy machine an image produced by a computer, a photograph, a picture,and digital data obtained by shooting using a digital camera.

There are cases where the digital data of a document or acomputer-produced image that is to be copied is owned by the creatorthereof. The creator may not wish to have the document or the digitaldata printed out. The concealment technique of embedding ID informationor a logo as signature information into the document or digital data isknown in order to prevent unlimited printing of documents and digitaldata.

By verifying the printed out sheet as to the image or digital data inwhich signature information is embedded, the document image or digitaldata that is the source of the printout can be identified. However,royalties associated with the printing of the image or digital datacannot be collected appropriately. An unscrupulous user can obtain aprintout freely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to solve the above problems, and anobject is to provide an image formation apparatus that can auditinformation related to printing of image data.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image formationapparatus that can limit the printing condition by which image data isto be printed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an imageformation apparatus that can print out image data at a different picturequality.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an imagerecording apparatus that can audit information related to printing ofimage data.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image formationapparatus includes an input unit entering image data, a printer unitprinting out the input image data, a detector detecting additionalinformation in which destination information is included from the imagedata, and a transmission controller transmitting print informationrelated to printing of image data to the detected destination.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an image formationapparatus includes an input unit entering image data, a printer unitprinting out the image data, a memory storing trigger information toinitiate execution of a control operation and the control operation incorrespondence, a detector detecting additional information includingthe trigger information from the image data, and a controller responsiveto detection of the trigger information to execute the control operationcorresponding to the trigger information stored in the memory. Thecontrol operation includes a transmission operation of transmittingprint information related to printing of image data to a destination.

According to the present invention, an image formation apparatus thatcan audit information related to printing of image data can be provided.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, an imagerecording apparatus includes an input unit entering image data, a recordunit recording the image data to a recording medium, a detectordetecting additional information in which destination information isincluded from the image data, and a transmission controller transmittingrecord information related to recording of image data to the detecteddestination.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, an imagerecording apparatus includes an input unit entering image data, a recordunit recording the image data to a recording medium, a detectordetecting additional information in which trigger information toinitiate execution of a predetermined control operation is included fromthe image data, and a controller executing the predetermined controloperation in response to detection of the trigger information. Thepredetermined control operation includes a transmission operation oftransmitting information related to recording of image data to thedestination.

According to the present invention, an image recording apparatus thatcan audit record information related to recording of image data can beprovided.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an entire structure of a digital copy machine according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram to describe the structure of a control unit ofthe digital copy machine of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation panel provided at a top face of adigital copy machine according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the process carried out by a digital copymachine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the limitation process carried out atstep S07 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows the trigger information and control operations stored inthe storage unit of the digital copy machine of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter withreference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same referencecharacters denote the same or corresponding components.

Referring to FIG. 1, a digital copy machine 100 is connected to a copyvender 151 that collects the copy fee according to the number of prints.

Digital copy machine 100 includes an image reader 101 reading out imagedata from a document, and a printer unit 102 printing out an image ontoa sheet.

A document placed on a document platen 103 of image reader 101 isirradiated by an exposure lamp 105 of a scanner 104. The light reflectedfrom the document plane passes through mirrors 106-108 and thecollective lens form an image on a full color CCD (charge coupleddevice) sensor 109. Full color CCD sensor 109 converts the lightreflected from the document plane into electric signals (analog signals)of red (R), green (G) and blue (B). The converted signals are providedto a processing unit 111. Scanner 104 moves in the direction of thearrow in FIG. 1 (subscanning direction) by a scanner motor 112 to scanthe entire document.

Processing unit 111 converts the input analog signals into predetermineddigital signals and stores the same in an image memory 110. The digitalsignals stored in image memory 110 are converted into laser drivingsignals and output to a laser device 112. Laser device 112 outputs alaser beam according to the input digital signal.

Processing unit 111 is connected to a communication processing unit notshown. Digital data transmitted from an external personal computer orthe like is received at the communication processing unit. The receiveddigital data is applied to processing unit 111. The digital data inputto processing unit 111 is stored in image memory 110.

At printer unit 102, the laser beam output from laser device 112 isdirected onto a photoreceptor drum 115 that is charged by a coronacharger 114, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed. Tonerdeveloper units 116-119 of the four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow andblack are sequentially selected, and the electrostatic latent image onphotoreceptor drum 115 is developed. An appropriate sheet is deliveredfrom sheet cassettes 120-122. The sheet passes through a timing roller123. The sheet is attracted on a transfer drum 126 by an electrostaticabsorption charger 125 provided opposite to an absorption roller 124.

The toner image developed on photoreceptor drum 115 is transferred ontothe sheet wound around transfer drum 126 by a transfer charger 127. Therotation of transfer drum 115 is controlled by a drum motor 128. In afull color copy mode, the above printing step is repeated for the fourcolors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

In other words, transfer drum 126 is rotated 4 times. Then, the sheet isdetached from transfer drum 126 by virtue of the discharge at thesurface of transfer drum 126 and the action of a separation claw 131through means of a separation charger 129 and a discharger 130. Thesheet passes through a fix device 132 to be subjected to the fixingprocess and then output onto a discharge tray 133.

Fix device 132 includes an upper roller 134 and a lower roller 135.Respective rollers 134 and 135 are adjusted to attain a predeterminedtemperature by a heater.

When in a dual copy mode, the sheet discharged by a sheet inversion unit136 is inverted. An image is formed again on the inverted sheet locatedon transfer drum 126.

Copy vender 151 includes a coin inlet 153 through which a coin isinserted, a coin return button 154, a coin outlet 155, and a display 156that displays the amount of inserted coins. Digital copy machine 100 andcopy vender 151 are connected by a cable through a connector 152.

In the present embodiment, printing is allowed by inserting a coin.Alternatively, printing can be permitted by the insertion of a monetarybill, a prepaid card, an IC card, a cash card, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram to describe the structure of the control unitof the digital copy machine of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, digital copymachine 100 includes processing unit 111 to provide the entire controlof digital copy machine 100, an operation panel 300 to set the printingcondition of digital copy machine 100 and also the correspondencebetween trigger information and control information that will bedescribed afterwards, a storage unit 203 storing trigger information andcontrol operation in correspondence set by operation panel 300, theaforementioned scanner unit 101, printer unit 102, image memory 110, asignature information detection unit 200 to detect signature informationfrom the image data stored in image memory 110, a signature informationrecognition unit 201 to recognize the detected signature information, acommunication processing unit 202 connected to external personalcomputers 251 and 252 and to a copyright management server 250 throughLocal Area Network (hereinafter referred to as LAN), and a serial I/O204 for serial connection with copy vender 151.

Operation panel 300 is provided at the top face of digital copy machine100 to input the setting of print conditions in printing out throughprinter unit 102 of digital copy machine 100 and the setting of triggerinformation and control operation. FIG. 3 is a plan view of operationpanel 300. Referring to FIG. 3, operation panel 300 includes a liquidcrystal display unit 303, a touch panel 304 provided thereon and formedof a transparent member, a ten-key 301 to input numerics such as thenumber of prints and the print magnification rate and the like, and astart key 313 to designate initiation of printing.

Liquid crystal display 303 displays the print condition currently set indigital copy machine 100 and the internal status. The operator depressestouch panel 304 on liquid crystal display 303 according to a menudisplayed at liquid crystal display 303 to input the print condition andset the trigger information and the control operation corresponding tothe trigger information. Alphanumerics and kanji characters can be inputby displaying Japanese syllabary and alphabets on liquid crystal display303.

Referring to FIG. 2, the trigger information and control operation inputthrough operation panel 303 are stored in correspondence in storage unit203. The trigger information and control operation will be described indetail afterwards.

Communication processing unit 202 transfers data between externallyconnected personal computer, LAN and public switched telephone network(PSTN) and processing unit 111. Communication processing unit 202 mainlyincludes an input/output control unit providing communication control totransmit/receive control signals and image data directly to/from apersonal computer, a network control unit connected to LAN to providenetwork control to transmit/receive control signals and image datato/from an external LAN-connected apparatus, a facsimile conversion unitto transmit/receive data to/from processing unit 111 and carry outconversion such as the pixel density, coding method and the like in afacsimile operation, and a G3 unit that provides communication controlsuch as modulation and demodulation of image data and control signals ina facsimile operation, and connected to the telephone line to providecommunication control with the PSTN.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of communication processing unit 202connected with external personal computers 251 and 252 and copyrightmanagement server 250 through the LAN. Here, communication control unit202 uses the network control unit to transmit/receive control signalsand image data to/from personal computers 251 and 252 and copyrightmanagement server 250 via the LAN.

Processing unit 111 is connected with serial Input and Output interface(I/O) 204 to effect serial communication with copy vender 151 connectedto serial I/O 204. Processing unit 111 carries out serial communicationwith copy vender 151, whereby a copy fee in accordance with the printingprocess carried out by printer unit 102 is collected by copy vender 151.

Image data to be printed out by printer unit 102 is stored in imagememory 110. Image memory 110 stores image data read in by scanner unit101 and image data received at communication processing unit 202 fromexternal personal computers 251 and 252.

Signature information detection unit 200 detects signature informationfrom the image data stored in image memory 110. Here, signatureinformation refers to additional information such as ID, logo marks, thelabel of the copyrighted document, code information, and the likeembedded in the image data. The well known art is employed as to thetechnique of embedding signature information in the readout image dataof a document or the technique of detecting signature information fromimage data in which signature information is embedded. For example, thetechnique of embedding signature information in image data includes themethod of adding signature information into the luminous value of animage, and the method of converting image data into frequency componentsto embed signature information into a particular frequency component.FFT (Fast Fourier Transform), DCD (Discrete Cosine Transform) and thelike are used for frequency conversion. Signature information mayinclude trigger information to initiate execution of a particularcontrol operation, print condition, image processing condition, andelectronic mail address, as will be described afterwards.

Signature information recognition unit 201 recognizes signatureinformation as character information corresponding to the imageinformation detected by signature information detection unit 200. Inthis case, the well known character recognition method is employed.

Copyright management server 250 is a computer to audit the copy fee foreach document or image data. The copy fee is calculated for eachdocument according to the received number of prints from communicationprocessing unit 202, whereby the payment charging process is carriedout.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the process carried out by digital copymachine 100. Referring to FIG. 4, digital copy machine 100 determineswhether image data has been read out or not (step S01). Thisdetermination of image data read out is effected by sensing depressionof start button 313 on operation panel 300. This determination can bemade at the time point when image data that is the digital version byprocessing unit 111 of analog signals read out from scanner unit 101 isstored in image memory 110.

In the case where image data readout is detected, control proceeds tostep S03. In the case where image data readout is not detected,determination is made whether image data has been input or not (stepS02). Input of image data refers to reception of image data fromexternal-connected personal computers 251 and 252 at communicationprocessing unit 202 through the LAN. Input of image data is sensed atthe time point when the received image data is stored in image memory110. In the case where image data input is detected, control proceeds toS03, otherwise to step S01 since image data will not be stored in imagememory 110 by image data readout or image data input.

At step S03, signature information detection unit 200 detects thesignature information from the image data stored in image memory 110.The detected signature information is currently image data.

At step S03, determination is made whether signature information hasbeen detected or not (step S02). When signature information has not beendetected, the image data read in by scanner unit 101 or the image datareceived by communication processing unit 202 is printed out by printerunit 102 (step S10). In the case where signature information has beendetected (YES at step S04), character recognition is effected for thesignature information detected at signature information recognition unit201. Character recognition here is the process of converting thesignature information which is the image data detected by signatureinformation detection unit 200 into character data to recognize thesignature information as characters. The well known characterrecognition technique is employed for this process.

Determination is made whether the signature information recognized ascharacters is trigger information or not (step S06). Trigger informationis code information set through operation panel 300, for example,numerics or alphabets of a predetermined number of characters. Triggerinformation is a mark to initiate execution of a predetermined controloperation. Therefore, the trigger information does not necessarycorrespond to character data, and may be image data. In the case wheretrigger information is image data, conversion into character data is notcarried out in recognizing the signature information by signatureinformation recognition unit 201. The presence/absence of triggerinformation is determined at step S06 directly by the image data.

In the case where the signature information is not trigger information(NO at step S06), control proceeds to step S07 to carry out the processto limit printing with respect to copyrighted material. This limitationprocess will be described afterwards.

In the case where the signature information is trigger information (YESat step S06), the control operation corresponding to the triggerinformation detected in step S06 is retrieved from strage unit 203 (stepS08).

Here, trigger information and control operation will be described.Trigger information and corresponding control operation are inputthrough operation panel 300. First, operation panel 300 is set to themode to input trigger information. Using alphanumerics key and the likedisplayed on liquid crystal display 303, a code which is the triggerinformation is input. Here, alphabets of three characters are taken as away of example. Next, a control operation corresponding to that triggerinformation is selected. More specifically, a plurality of selectionsare displayed on liquid crystal display 303. An appropriate selection ismade by depressing touch panel 304. Following the selection of all thecontrol operations required, the “*” key of ten-key 301 is depressed,whereby the trigger information and corresponding control operation areregistered in storage unit 203. FIG. 6 shows trigger information andcorresponding control operations stored in storage unit 203. For thetrigger information of “AAA”, correspondence is established of controloperation 1 of “print”, control operation 2 of “count number of prints”,and control operation 3 of “transmit number of prints to address aaaa”.More specifically, when the trigger information of “AAA” is recognizedby signature information recognition unit 201, the operation of printingby printer unit 102 the image data stored in image memory 110 is carriedout as the first control operation, the operation of counting the numberof prints of the image data by printer unit 102 is carried out as thesecond control operation, and the operation of transmitting to copyrightmanagement server 250 having the electronic mail address of “aaaa” thenumber of counted prints in the second control operation is carried outas the third operation.

Similarly, for the trigger operation of “BBB”, correspondence isestablished of the operation of “binarization process on image data” ascontrol operation 1, and the operation of “print” as control operation2. When trigger information “BBB” is recognized by signature informationrecognition unit 201, the image process of binarizing the multi-valueimage data stored in image memory 110 is carried out by processing unit111 as the first control operation, and the operation of printing outthe image data subjected to binarization in the second control operationis carried out by printer unit 102 as the second control operation.

For the trigger information of “CCC”, correspondence of the operation of“suppress print” as control operation 1 and the operation of “displayprint disabled on screen” as control operation 2 is established andstored. When the trigger information of “CCC” is recognized by signatureinformation recognition unit 201, a signal inhibiting image dataprinting is output to printer unit 102 and the image data stored inimage memory 110 is erased as the first operation. Then, a message of“this document cannot be printed”, for example, is displayed on liquidcrystal display 303 of operation panel 300 as the second operation.

Thus, upon recognition of trigger information by signature informationrecognition unit 201, the series of control operations in correspondencewith the recognized trigger information is retrieved from storage unit203.

Returning to FIG. 4, upon retrieval of the control operationcorresponding to the recognized trigger information from storage unit203 at step S08, the retrieved control operation is executed (step S09).

The limitation process carried out at step S07 of FIG. 4 will bedescribed with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 5. Referring to FIG.5, determination is made whether the signature information recognized bysignature information recognition unit 201 includes a processingcondition or not (step S21). A processing condition refers to thedesignation of carrying out a particular image process on the image datastored in image memory 110. The particular image process includes, forexample, image data binarization process, image datamagnification/shrink process, modifying the resolution of the imagedata, the process of reducing the color of image data, for example,converting color image data into black and white image data, and thelike. This process is effective in the case where the creator of thedocument wishes to degrade the quality of the copied product than thatof the original document.

In the case where the recognized signature information includes aprocess condition, an image process according to the process conditionis carried out by processing unit 111 on the image data stored in imagememory 110 (step S22).

Then, determination is made whether a printing condition is included inthe recognized signature information (step S23). Here, a printingcondition refers to the condition for a printing operation by printerunit 102. For example, the condition includes the number of prints, theprinting density, the magnification/shrinkage rate, and the like. Thisprinting condition is effective when the creator wishes to specify thenumber of copies that can be printed out for the purpose of limiting thenumber of the copies, or when the creator wishes to lower the density ofthe printout to degrade the quality from the original document, or whena shrinkage rate is specified so that the size of the printed out copybecomes smaller than that of the original document.

The print condition also includes a print inhibit signal. This iseffective in the case where the creator of the document wishes toprevent his/her work from being copied. At step S24, determination ismade whether the print condition corresponds to “inhibit signal” or not.In the case of an inhibit signal, the subsequent process is not executedand control returns to the main routine of FIG. 4.

In the case where the print condition does not correspond to an inhibitsignal (NO at step S24), printer unit 102 is set to the print conditionincluded in the signature information (step S25). Then, printing iscarried out under the set printing condition (step S26).

When the printing ends, determination is made whether a mail address isincluded in the recognized signature information (step S27). When a mailaddress is included in the recognized signature information (YES at stepS27), the number of prints output at step S26, the code informationindicating the printed copyrighted material (document), and informationindicating the printing event are transmitted from communicationprocessing unit 202 to the mail address (step S28). In the presentembodiment, the number of prints is transmitted as one of the printingcondition. However, other printing conditions, for example, whether of acolor mode or black and white mode, the print scaling rate, sheet size,and the like can be transmitted.

The mail address included in the signature information is the mailaddress of the owner of the document or copyright management server 250.The creator of the document or the facility auditing the copyright canidentify the number of printouts of the document. Accordingly, thecreator of the document or the facility auditing the copyright cancharge royalties and the like to the person or entity that has carriedout the copy. Also, the amount of the copies printed out can beidentified.

At this stage, communication can be established between communicationprocessing unit 202 and copyright management server 250 to transmit thecopy charge to communication processing unit 202 from copyrightmanagement server 250, so that the copy fee can be collected throughcopy vender 151.

The digital copy machine of the present embodiment detects andrecognizes signature information from the image data read out by scannerunit 101 or the image data received at communication processing unit202. In the case where the signature information includes a processingcondition designating a particular image process, the designated imageprocess is applied on the image data, so that the image process intendedby the creator of the document of interest is applied to output theimage data on a recording medium such as a sheet of paper. Accordingly,the quality of the image data printed out on the recording medium can bedegraded than that of the original document.

In the case where the signature information includes a print condition,printer unit 102 is set to the print condition included in the signatureinformation. Therefore, the image data can be printed out according tothe printing condition desired by the creator. In the case where theprinting condition corresponds to an inhibit signal, printing issuppressed at printer unit 102. Therefore, copy of the original can beinhibited to prevent output of the image data onto a sheet of paper andthe like.

In the case where the signature information includes a mail address, thenumber of prints carried out by printer unit 102 is transmitted to themail address from communication processing unit 202. By setting the mailaddress to the mail address of the creator or copyright managementserver 250, the number of prints of the document or image data can beidentified on the part of the creator or copyright management server250. Thus, the creator or the copyright administrator can charge theperson or entity that has carried out printing of the original or imagedata.

In the case where the signature information includes trigger informationto initiate execution of a predetermined control operation, the controloperation corresponding to the trigger information included in thesignature information stored in storage unit 203 is executed. Theabove-described advantages can be obtained by providing setting of theimage process according to the above processing condition in the controloperation, printing according to a printing condition, data transmissionto a mail address, and the like.

Since the trigger information and control operation can be input and setthrough operation panel 303, the condition of printing out the imagedata stored in image memory 110 onto a recording medium such as papercan be modified arbitrarily.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

1. An image processing apparatus comprising: an input unit enteringimage data; a processing unit processing said image data; a memorystoring trigger information to initiate execution of a control operationand said control operation in correspondence; a detector detectingadditional information including said trigger information from saidimage data; and a controller responsive to detection of said triggerinformation to execute said control operation corresponding to saidtrigger information stored in said memory, wherein said controloperation includes a transmission operation transmitting informationrelated to processing of said image data to a destination.
 2. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising anoperation unit setting said trigger information and said controloperation in correspondence.
 3. The image processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said information related to processing of said imagedata includes information indicating an event of processing said imagedata.
 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid information related to processing of said image data includes animage processing condition in processing said image data.
 5. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controloperation includes an image processing operation processing said imagedata according to a predetermined image processing condition.
 6. Theimage processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidtransmission operation includes an operation of transmitting saidinformation related to processing of said image data to a destinationspecified by an electronic mail address through electronic mail.
 7. Animage processing apparatus comprising: an input unit entering imagedata; a processing unit processing input image data; a detectordetecting additional information from said image data, said additionalinformation including trigger information to initiate execution of apredetermined control operation; and a controller executing saidpredetermined control operation in response to detection of said triggerinformation, wherein said predetermined control operation includes atransmission operation transmitting information related to processing ofsaid image data to a destination.